INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS ASSOCIATION

Harrogate, England, Sunday 15th September 2013

Direct access in Germany

Eckhardt Boehle, PT – General Secretary

Deutscher Verband fuer Physiotherapie (ZVK)

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Available for all citizens regardless

income

social status

place of residence

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Pillars of the health service

solidarity

subsidiary

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Subsidiary principle

Self - administration

This is not a state-operated health service

It is an independent co-operation between health insurance providers and professional

organisations

National health insurance in Germany

Direct access in Germany

Self - administration

Health insurance providers

Professional organisations

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Out-patient healthcare for patients is primarily carried out by private practioners

43.000 registered physiotherapists as private practioners in Germany

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Furnishing curative services requires a medical prescription

Social health insurance legislation only grants the right to direct access to physiotherapists

in the context of prevention services

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

Physiotherapists have filed lawsuits at various Administrative Courts to

achieve approval of direct access

The Federal Administrative Court has confirmed the patient`s right to see PT first

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

The Federal Administrative Court has also ruled conditions who must be fulfilled for approval

of direct access

The physiotherapist must undergo a limited examination of his/her knowledge, in order to commence activities

without a medical prescription

Direct access in Germany

National health insurance in Germany

The examination should enable the physiotherapist to recognise and consider the possibilities and limits

of his/her own diagnostic abilities